Safety Concerns Lead County Council To Deploy Traffic Wardens at Cliffs of Moher

Clare County Council today announced that it has deployed traffic wardens at the site of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles parking illegally at the world famous tourist attraction.

Extensive car and coach parking facilities and traffic calming measures, including double yellow lines have been introduced at the site since it was redeveloped at cost of EUR31.5M. However, Clare County Council has expressed concern for the safety of all road users following an increase in the number of illegally parked vehicles on the main R478.

Announcing the new traffic management measure, Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience explained, "The illegal parking of vehicles, including some buses and coaches, is a real cause for concern. The traffic flow on what is a very busy route is being impeded by such activity. Our primary concern is to ensure the safety of all road users, including the estimated one million people who visit the Cliffs of Moher every year."

Ms. Webster added that the illegal parking activity and resulting dangers posed to all road users is unnecessary, as ample parking facilities are provided at the site.

She stated, "While the deployment of traffic wardens is standard practice, a comprehensive traffic management system is required at the Cliffs of Moher considering the high volume of traffic at the site. Traffic wardens are being employed to monitor the situation seven days a week. We would appeal to all motorists to avail of the onsite parking facilities so as to ensure the safety of visitors to the Cliffs of Moher."

Meanwhile, public reaction to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience has been hugely positive since An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D. officially opened the project on 8th February 2007.

According to Ms. Webster, "The response from the public has been exceptionally positive. Visitors are genuinely impressed with the overall facilities on offer. There is no doubt that everybody who has visited the site has been hugely impressed with all aspects of the completed development."

Clare County Council has invested EUR31.5 million to provide a vastly improved visitor experience at the world-renowned site. The project includes a major upgrade and extension of the Cliff edge walkways and pathways as well as a new visitor centre embedded into the landscape. The award winning visitor centre features an exhibition and multi-media presentation centre, tourist information office, café and restaurant.

For more see www.cliffsofmoher.ie

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Contact:
Mark Dunphy, Dunphy Public Relations, media@dunphypr.com, 00353-868534900 (Mobile)

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)